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Surgery & Treatments

NanoKnife® (Irreversible Electroporation) for Prostate Cancer — Arlington & DFW

Target the tumor. Protect what matters.

I’m Dr. Rich Bevan-Thomas. I’ve treated prostate cancer with ablation since 2002. Today, I center my focal program on NanoKnife® (Irreversible Electroporation or IRE) because it treats cancer without heat or freezing. Instead, it uses brief electrical pulses to create permanent nanopores in the cancer cells, leading to precise cell death. For the right anatomy, this non-thermal method means strong cancer control with a real chance to preserve urinary control and sexual function.

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A Simple Deep Dive

HOW NANOKNIFE (IRE) WORKS: Creating Nanopores

The idea: use carefully timed electrical pulses to switch off cancer cells—without heat or freezing—so your body clears them naturally.

  • Inside the cells (“nanopores”):
    Ultra-short electrical pulses create millions of nano-sized pores in cancer cell membranes. With the right number/strength of pulses, those pores don’t reseal, and the cell dies (Irreversible Electroporation - IRE).
  • Why “Non-Thermal” Matters:
    Because we’re not cooking or freezing tissue, the supporting framework (collagen, blood vessels, and nearby nerves) is far less affected. This structural preservation is a major reason many men keep urinary control and maintain erections.
Our Modern Treatments
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PLANNING FOCAL ABLATION (PRECISION & PROTECTION)

We build a precise map of where the cancer is and what must be protected.

  • Target Definition: We localize the lesion using MRI, transperineal targeted or mapping biopsy, and PSMA PET when appropriate.
  • Needle Placement: I position slender needles so the electric field matches the shape of the tumor plus a planned safety margin, ensuring energy passes through the tumor, not random healthy tissue.

Candidate Selection

Who I Treat with NanoKnife

Two groups benefit most:

  • Primary: Newly diagnosed localized cancer in one spot or mostly one side of the gland.
  • Salvage: After radiation/IMRT when a small, localized recurrence appears.

The Key: The disease must be confined to one side or one area. If imaging/biopsy shows cancer in both sides or multiple regions, focal therapy may not be the best tool.

Our Modern Treatments
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What to Expect

Your Day at the Center

I perform NanoKnife exclusively at Surgical Centers of North Texas in Arlington. It’s a same-day in and out experience.

  • Procedure Time: Typically 60–90 minutes.
  • Anesthesia: You’re completely asleep and comfortable.
  • Placement: Transperineal route (through the skin crease—no abdominal incisions).
  • Recovery: Most men leave with a small catheter for a few days and a simple recovery plan. Return to routine is within several days to about a week.

Function and Control

How Well Does NanoKnife Work?

Two groups benefit most:

  • Cancer Control (Primary): About 90% of men have the treated spot remain controlled at approx 5 years.
  • Function Preservation: Almost all men maintain pad-free urinary control, and many maintain erections (outcomes depend on tumor location and baseline function).

If Focal Therapy Isn’t the Match: I also perform—and coordinate—definitive options like Catheterless Robotic Prostatectomy, Full-gland Prostate Cryoablation, and IMRT with my experienced partners. You’re never boxed in—we pick the plan that fits you.

Our Modern Treatments
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Cost Transparency & Long-Term Vigilance

Where I Treat & How We Handle Costs:

  • I perform NanoKnife only at Surgical Centers of North Texas in Arlington for a streamlined, same-day experience.
  • Transparent Cash-Price Option: We review exactly what’s included—facility, anesthesia, and physician fees—before you decide.

Aftercare: Follow-up includes PSA and symptom checks (1, 3, 6 and 12 months), and MRI at 12 months to document success and survey the rest of the gland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NanoKnife “approved”?

NanoKnife is FDA 510(k)–cleared for prostate tissue ablation.

Do I need to see the tumor on MRI?

No. MRI helps, but isn’t required. If MRI doesn’t show it, we localize with transperineal mapping or targeted biopsy.

Who is a good candidate?

Men with localized cancer limited to one side/area who want a targeted option with a strong chance to preserve urinary and sexual function.

How effective is NanoKnife?

About 90% of men keep the treated spot controlled at approx 5 years for properly selected primary cases.

How long is recovery and catheter use?

Catheter for a few days; return to routine activities 7-10 days after the procedure.

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Request your NanoKnife consultation — Arlington & Dallas–Fort Worth

Ready for a precise, tissue-sparing option? As a leading expert in ablation since 2002 and a surgeon fluent in all prostate cancer treatments, Dr. Bevan-Thomas provides an impartial, personalized assessment to see if NanoKnife is right for you.

Request an Appointment